Chapter 8, Chapter 8: Here to silence them?
When the three riders arrived at East Street, the sun had already risen above mid-sky.
The sizzling sound of the iron plate at the alley entrance sesame cake stall carried the aroma of roasted sesame seeds mixed with the scent of sesame oil. A peddler carrying a celadon shoulder pole shook a rattle drum, the sound of which weaved through the crowd, sometimes drowned out by the shouts of those selling Huji wine, and sometimes rising up with the laughter of children chasing each other.
Horses cannot run freely in the bustling city, so Xiao Yunzhan had no choice but to rein in the horses and slow down.
Pei Zhiwei sat upright on the horse, the hem of her plain-colored ruqun skirt swept by the wind, gently brushing against the horse's belly.
When they arrived at the Zhang residence, the sedan chair bearers had just put the sedan chair poles down when the corner of Zhang Qifeng's dark scarlet official robe was revealed. The steward was bowing and gently guiding him down from the sedan chair, his hands lightly supporting his arms.
"They really did come one after the other," Zhou Ping muttered behind him as he reined in his horse.
Pei Zhiwei glanced up and swept her eyes over the gate of the Zhang residence.
The plaque above the door that read "Residence of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue" was a plain black lacquer, without any gold or colored decorations. The stone lions on both sides also had plain bases, which looked exactly like the rank of the Vice Minister. However, as Pei Zhiwei walked inside, he realized the intricacies of the interior.
The front yard looks simple, but once you turn through the moon gate, the view opens up to reveal six neatly planted magnolia trees with branches spreading out like umbrellas.
This viburnum originated in Yangzhou. When transplanted to the capital, it needs to be wrapped in cotton in winter and sheltered in summer. Ordinary officials would at most display two potted plants for decoration, but the Zhang family has planted it so luxuriantly. The cost of its maintenance alone must be a considerable sum.
The birdcage hanging under the eaves is even more eye-catching. It is made entirely of ivory and has intricate carvings, so it is definitely not the work of an ordinary person.
Inside, a white parrot with snow-white feathers flapped its wings as it saw people approaching, and even uttered the words, "Guests have arrived, tea is served."
Pei Zhiwei recalled that last year's official gazette mentioned that this white parrot from the Western Regions was a tribute from the Abbasid Caliphate, and His Majesty only bestowed it upon three important officials, Zhang Qifeng not among them.
Passing through two corridors, you arrive at the bedroom, where the smell of medicine is mixed with a faint sandalwood scent.
Pei Zhiwei habitually walked softly as she entered the room. Her gaze swept across the room; the bedroom was not large, but the furnishings revealed the refinement of a scion of an official family.
The bookshelf by the wall looked worn, with the spines of the books wrapped in blue cloth, as if it had been used for many years, but the paperweight on the shelf was particularly eye-catching.
It was a piece of pure white Hetian mutton fat jade, carved into the shape of a reclining deer. Every branch of the deer's antlers was clearly carved. The jade was so warm and smooth that it could reflect a person's image. The most rare thing was that two tiny golden-green cat's-eye stones were inlaid in the deer's eyes. As the light and shadow changed, they seemed to come alive.
Those two cat's-eye gems alone are worth decades' worth of expenses for an ordinary person; you won't find many more like them in all of Chang'an.
On the low table under the window, a Duanxi inkstone lies quietly, a rare "banana leaf white" gem.
The surface of the inkstone has a shimmering white sheen, like banana leaves after rain, and fine "ice patterns" are hidden in its texture.
It is said that it is cool to the touch and will not sweat even in the height of summer. If you breathe gently on the inkstone, fine water droplets will condense. When you dip it in ink, the ink will spread slowly along the ice-like patterns. Even the ink marks on the paper will have a warm and smooth feel.
Duanxi inkstones are rare to begin with, and this "banana leaf white" variety is even more exceptional.
Judging from the translucency of the bright white iridescence and the delicate ice-like patterns, Zhang Yanzhi's "Banana Leaf White" stone must have been made from top-quality stone mined in his early years.
Such a piece must have cost a fortune and been obtained by sheer luck; even if an ordinary official spent all his salary, he would probably still find it hard to find.
The curtains were half-drawn, and Zhang Yanzhi lay face down on the bed, his waist wrapped in thick gauze, with faint red blood seeping through the gauze.
The doctor in a blue cloth robe by the bedside saw Xiao Yunzhan and quickly bowed, saying, "This humble subject greets Your Highness."
"Can I ask Zhang Erlang about his current condition?" Xiao Yunzhan went straight to the point.
The doctor replied carefully, "Your Highness, the Second Young Master is conscious and can be questioned briefly, but we must avoid agitating him to prevent aggravating his wounds."
The maid gently tied the curtains to both sides. Zhang Yanzhi turned his head and saw Xiao Yunzhan and Pei Zhiwei. His eyes first shrank back, and then a few more feelings of guilt appeared.
He tried to speak, his lips moved, but only a weak voice came out: "Your...Your Highness."
"Tell me in detail what happened in the alley after we left the Qin residence." Xiao Yunzhan walked to the bedside, his gaze fixed on Zhang Yanzhi.
Zhang Yanzhi's Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice was so low it was almost inaudible: "I had just left the alley where the Qin residence was when I felt a pain in my back... and then I fainted. These days I've been thinking about Madam Qin a lot, and I've been very distracted. I didn't hear any footsteps, and I didn't see who it was."
"Distracted?" Xiao Yunzhan pressed. "Yesterday at the Qin residence, you pointed out the spot where the dark figure climbed over the wall. Do you think the murderer might have followed you out to kill you and silence you because he was afraid you would recognize him?"
These words pierced Zhang Yanzhi's heart like a needle. His body stiffened visibly, and panic flashed in his eyes at first, but he nodded vigorously, his voice weak yet firm: "Yes...it's possible! Since I pointed out the location of the shadowy figure, he must be afraid that I'll remember something, which is why he wants to kill me!"
Xiao Yunzhan raised an eyebrow and took a half step forward, approaching the bedside. His tone became more serious: "Are you sure this is the case? Zhang Yanzhi, you need to understand that your statement right now is crucial to the investigation."
If you lie or provide false clues, it will only greatly increase the difficulty of the case, and even Qin Niangzi's grievances may have nowhere to be redressed.
These words struck Zhang Yanzhi like a hammer blow. The certainty on his face vanished instantly, and his fingers gripped the quilt beneath him tightly. His eyes were filled with conflict, glancing between Xiao Yunzhan and Zhang Qifeng by the door, his lips moving as if he had something difficult to say.
After a moment of silence, as if he had made up his mind, he spoke in a hoarse voice: "I... I haven't offended anyone in the capital. The only thing I'm involved with is that I had a lot of interest in Your Highness's fiancée before..."
But I know Your Highness is of noble status and would never send someone to harm me for such a trivial matter. Besides that murderer, no one else would specifically come to kill me; he must be afraid I'll expose my whereabouts, so he's trying to silence me!
Pei Zhiwei stood aside, taking in his deliberate attempt to distance himself from the situation and his feigned firmness. He was clearly trying to avoid certain things, yet he was pushing the charge towards "silencing witnesses," as if he were guiding the investigation in a certain direction.
Zhang Qifeng, standing by the door, saw it more clearly. His son's eyes darted around and his tone was stiff. It wasn't a truthful confession; he was clearly hiding something he dared not say.
His heart tightened, and he quickly stepped forward to block the bed, bowing and clasping his hands in front of Xiao Yunzhan, his tone carrying a hint of urgent explanation.
"Your Highness, Erlang has just been stabbed and is very weak. He has also been preoccupied with Qin Niangzi's matter these past few days, so his mind is already foggy. His words may be inaccurate and should not be taken seriously."
Why not let him rest for a few days until he's feeling better, and then have someone from the Dali Temple come and question him in detail?
Xiao Yunzhan glanced at him, his tone tinged with coldness: "Does Minister Zhang think that my questioning is against the rules?"
"No, no!" Zhang Qifeng hurriedly waved his hands and took a half step back, bending even lower, but his tone still carried a firm insistence beneath a soft exterior.
"But as Your Highness knows, my son is timid by nature. When he sees someone of Your Highness's status, he is bound to get nervous and say the wrong thing."
If His Highness questions me again and I say something wrong, it would not only be disrespectful to His Highness, but it could also jeopardize the investigation.
Furthermore, these trivial matters of investigating murder cases and questioning witnesses are simply the duties of the Dali Temple.
If you always do everything yourself, people will inevitably gossip. Some will say that the officials of the Court of Judicial Review are incompetent and have to trouble Prince Rui even with such basic duties, while others will say that we are incompetent and have troubled Your Highness with such mundane matters, which is a disgrace to Your Highness."
These words, while subtly establishing rules and decorum, neither explicitly dismissed the person, clearly conveyed the message that "you shouldn't interfere."
Before Xiao Yunzhan could reply, Zhang Qifeng suddenly turned around, his gaze falling on Pei Zhiwei. The respect he had shown to the prince vanished instantly, replaced by the stern reprimand of an elder to a junior.
“Madam Pei, although I have not had much interaction with Pei Shaoqing, we have served in the same court for several years, so in terms of seniority, I am your elder.”
Although our dynasty's etiquette is lenient, I have never heard of unmarried young women spending their days running around crime scenes!
In less than two days since you stepped into the capital, what have you done? Is that something a lady of a respectable family should do?
If someone with ulterior motives sees this, or if word gets out in the marketplace, not only will your own reputation be ruined, but the Pei family's 'upright' reputation will also be the subject of gossip!
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the brocade pouch at Pei Zhiwei's waist, his tone carrying an added weight of responsibility.
“Throughout history, those who use their skills to take risks and deal with murder cases have mostly been people of low social status. Your Pei family is a scholarly and official family. How can you let your daughter do such a thing that is beneath your dignity?”
"Lord Zhang, please be careful with your words."
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Yunzhan had already taken half a step forward, just in time to shield Pei Zhiwei behind him.
He was tall and imposing, exuding a commanding presence. His eyes narrowed slightly as he asked, "Is Minister Zhang questioning my judgment of character, or criticizing my decision to have someone investigate the case?"
Zhang Qifeng was taken aback, not expecting him to suddenly launch an attack. He quickly bowed and said, "Your Highness is joking. How could I dare to question you..."
“I personally invited Lady Pei to assist in the investigation.” Xiao Yunzhan interrupted him, his voice not loud, but every word was firm and resolute, and the coldness in his eyes intensified.
“Since Vice Minister Zhang is familiar with the etiquette and laws of our dynasty, he should know that the victims of murder cases include both men and women. When examining the scene and investigating the truth, there should be no distinction between men and women.”
Furthermore, Lady Pei's ability to identify seals and trace clues is something even the most seasoned constables in the Dali Temple, who have investigated cases for many years, might not be able to match. I value her abilities, which is why I specifically invited her to assist in the investigation.
She sought justice for the deceased through her own abilities and meticulously filled in the gaps in the investigation with her exceptional attention to detail. She neither broke the rules nor went astray. Why shouldn't she be allowed to examine the crime scene?
These words hit the nail on the head, leaving Zhang Qifeng no room for defense.
Zhang Qifeng had been in officialdom for over twenty years and was usually adept at using polite words to evade questions, but he was speechless for a moment when faced with Xiao Yunzhan's blunt question.
He couldn't very well admit that he was afraid the girl's meticulousness might lead her to uncover something involving the Zhang family. His face flushed and paled in turns, and he stood frozen in place, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time.
Pei Zhiwei stood behind Xiao Yunzhan, her gaze fixed on his back as he stood in front of her.
The midday sun shone through the carved window lattice, casting a light gold hue on his hair and revealing the delicate stitches of the subtle patterns on his everyday clothes.
She had followed her father around the country to investigate cases since she was a child, and was used to seeing other people questioning women's involvement in criminal cases. Some said, "Women are meticulous but timid and cannot bear to see corpses," while others said, "Young women should not be involved in the filth of murder cases."
Zhang Qifeng's reprimand today is just another example.
Hearing those words just now, she felt no resentment at all. She only felt that Zhang Qifeng was afraid that she would investigate too thoroughly, so he used "identity" and "family reputation" as a pretext.
But at this moment, Xiao Yunzhan shielded her from the harsh criticism and even described her "inappropriateness" as "finding the truth through her own abilities," which surprised her somewhat.
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